Originally Posted by SANguru

k20's and the F20's are garbage! They should learn from the Ariel Atom guys and throw in a Ecotec with a supercharger on it. ;)

Originally Posted by RamVA

I got that you were kidding, no worries! There have been a lot of K20 swaps, but as I said I think the bulk of them are Euro cars with Rover motors. A lot of these cars made it stateside, as that was the most tried-and-true, practical way of being able to get them registered here. Most of the US-bound, officially imported "Fed" cars get modded through FI of some sort. I could be wrong about the frequency, though.

Part of the problem is that the K20 is pricey (around $6k just for the parts, gently used) and you can't get anything for the 2ZZ (maybe around $2k). That price is one of the chief reasons Ariel uses the Ecotec (a good motor which also responds well to mods and FI). Of course, they'll sell you one with a Honda motor for more money.

On a tight track (like Summit Point Shenandoah) the Elise is outrageous. It's very tossable, easy to rotate, and grippy. At Shenandoah I can run wth Z06s, and I'm not very experienced - the car's just so well setup for a track like that and so easy to drive fast that it's like cheating. On a faster track (like VIR) it just doesn't have the horsepower, and the big boys walk away on the straights. Sometimes I don't mind that, but now that the 911 has coilovers and PS Cups I generally prefer it on a big track, with it's massive grip, good power, solid stability, and flexibility. It gives up a bit in tossability and steering feel, and is slower in tight corners. Both cars have excellent braking ability, which really helps make up time on track. It's nice to be able to have both, but I think a more dedicated (and maybe cheaper) track car might be in my future, certainly if I move beyond HPDE and into racing.

I've only driven the S2000 at Shenandoah, as it is basically stock and has no roll bar. It's well suited to that track as well, and the motor, gearbox, and shifter are leagues beyond the Lotus. Unfortunately it feels soft in comparison, it doesn't have a lot of traction coming out of the corners (front-engine, twtichy rear end), and the front brake cooling is insufficient. I still used it perhaps 4 times last season, so don't get me wrong, it's fun. For a car that I use as a daily and put about 8k miles a year on it's pretty impressive, even with street tires and no mods. You just can't beat a rear-engine (or R-compounds) when it comes to the track.

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

Very insightful remarks..thanks!

At the competition level would you stick with something production based? I'm hoping to do some HPDE this summer..did a couple autox's..really didn't enjoy them.

Originally Posted by RamVA

I did a lot of autox when I was in high school and college, and I liked it for what it was: cheap, safe, educational. More recently I've been frustrated by the lack of seat time, particularly in my region.

I only got into HPDE about three years ago, and though I did quite a lot last year, I still have a lot to learn. There's been no "master plan" for it, but I'm getting to the point where I'm considering racing next year ('08), at least to try it. We'll see how I feel at the end of this season. If I do, it'll be with one of the amateur Spec series. Spec Miata is the best known, but is also crowded. I think Spec E30 or PCA Club Racing is more likely (I'd likely use a 944, though a rear-engined 911SC sounds fun). Any of those cars run about $10-12k built, and are relatively cheap to keep running (911 excluded, on both counts). Given my skill level I don't plan on being competitive, but I think I'd like to try it.

If you have the car for it then I definitely recommend HPDE, just make sure you do at least 6-8 days in your first year. I've not tracked the X5 (or any truck), but based on my experience with the S4 I think you'd be much happier with a proper sports car, or at least something under 3000lbs. It's not cheap (though it's all relative, I guess), but it's good fun, reasonably safe, and (for me at least) pretty rewarding. Good luck and be safe.

Originally Posted by gresch

I was packing the camera.... :)

here ya go.... i even took the cover off just for you :)

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

I could say the Ecotec is garbage (which i do think it is), but then we'd just go back and forth...

Originally Posted by SANguru

more HP, less high strung and can be FI'ed a lot easier. Need I say more... and this is coming from a guy who built a B18C turbo'ed, nos'ed, and Motec'ed.